What is the relationship between Nikka and Suntory?

Nikka founder Masataka Taketsuru was the first distillery manager at Suntory's Yamazaki. He left in 1934 to found Nikka in Hokkaido, seeking a climate more similar to Scotland for authentic whisky production.

What is Nikka Coffey Grain Whisky?

It is a whisky produced using Nikka's rare antique Coffey continuous stills. This method retains more grain sweetness and oils, resulting in a smooth texture with creamy corn and vanilla notes.

Why is Nikka From the Barrel so popular?

This iconic blend is celebrated for its 'Marriage' process in casks and its high 51.4% ABV. It offers exceptional value, delivering a powerful, rich, and complex flavor profile.

What are the main distilleries under the Nikka brand?

Nikka operates two main distilleries: Yoichi in Hokkaido, famous for its bold coal-fired malt, and Miyagikyo in Sendai, known for its soft, floral, and fruity style.

Collection: Nikka

Nikka: The Ultimate Dream of the Father of Japanese Whisky

The story of Nikka is the history of Japanese whisky itself. Founder Masataka Taketsuru traveled to Scotland to master whisky-making techniques and returned to establish Nikka in 1934. He dedicated his life to crafting 'real whisky' by building two distilleries with distinct styles: Yoichi in Hokkaido, which maintains traditional direct coal-fired distillation, and Miyagikyo in the mountains of Sendai, known for its elegant floral and fruity character. The combination of these two creates Nikka's unique art of blending.

▼ Click to read more: Taketsuru's Scottish Journey, Distillery Comparisons, and the Coffey Still Legend

History: From Scottish Notebooks to Japanese Legend

In 1918, a young Masataka Taketsuru traveled to Scotland with a passion for whisky. He studied chemistry at the University of Glasgow and apprenticed at distilleries like Longmorn and Hazelburn, recording every detail in his famous 'Taketsuru Notebooks,' which later became the bible of the Japanese whisky industry.

After returning to Japan, he helped establish the Yamazaki Distillery but believed Hokkaido's climate more closely resembled Scotland's, making it ideal for authentic whisky production. In 1934, he resigned and moved north to found Nikka. Want to learn more about this history? Read our feature: Whisky Brands You Need to Know! A Comprehensive Guide to Scotch and Japanese Whisky.

Craftsmanship: A Duet of Strength and Softness

Nikka's core strength lies in possessing two distilleries with opposite personalities, providing blenders with a rich library of malt to create masterpieces:

1. Yoichi — A Miniature of the Scottish Highlands

Located by the sea, the Yoichi Distillery still uses the rare 'Direct Coal-Fired Distillation' method. This ancient process lightly chars the bottom of the still, giving the whisky a robust body and unique toasted aroma. With local peat, Yoichi represents a masculine, smoky style with a hint of sea breeze.

2. Miyagikyo — Elegance in the Forest

To balance Yoichi's intensity, Taketsuru established Miyagikyo in Sendai. Utilizing 'Steam Heating' and large onion-shaped stills, it produces a gentle spirit with rich floral, fruity notes and Sherry cask sweetness. It is the graceful soul of Nikka's blended whiskies.

The Secret Weapon: Coffey Stills

Beyond malt whisky, Nikka excels in Grain Whisky production. They operate a pair of traditional Coffey Stills imported from Scotland in 1963. Though less efficient than modern columns, they retain more grain flavor and a creamy texture, giving Nikka blends their incredible smoothness and sweetness.

Guide to the Nikka Classic Series

From ultimate blending art to collectible limited editions, Alcohol Please selects the best of Nikka for you:

Nikka 12 Year Old — Masterpiece of Blending

This 12-year-old whisky perfectly balances Yoichi's smoke with Miyagikyo's fruitiness. The bottle design, inspired by the 'Kimono Neckline,' reflects Japanese aesthetics. It features rich malt aromas, green apple, and nougat notes.
→ Shop Nikka 12 Year Old

Nikka From The Barrel — The High-Value Cult Classic

This iconic square bottle is a favorite worldwide. It blends malt and grain spirits which undergo 'Marriage' in casks before bottling at a powerful 51.4% ABV, delivering punchy spices, toffee, and floral notes.
→ Shop Nikka From The Barrel

Nikka Gold & Gold Samurai — The Warrior Spirit

Known as the 'Samurai Whisky,' this Gold & Gold edition features a detachable metal samurai armor set. Originally a duty-free exclusive, its unique look and smooth taste make it a legendary souvenir and collectible.
→ Shop Nikka Gold & Gold Samurai

Taketsuru — The Peak of Pure Malt

Named after the founder, this 'Pure Malt' uses only malt whiskies from Yoichi and Miyagikyo. It combines smoky depth with fruity elegance. The 17 and 21-year-old expressions are frequent World Whiskies Awards winners.
→ Shop Taketsuru Series

Alcohol Please brings you the full selection of Nikka spirits. Experience the craftsmanship of Masataka Taketsuru. To compare with other regions, browse our Scotch Whisky Overview. For more details, visit Wikipedia: Nikka Whisky Distilling.